God is not a socialist

Obituaries
divineinsight:BY HUMPHREY MTANDWA Socialism is a set of beliefs that states that all people are equal and should therefore share equally their country’s wealth and resources. Is God socialistic or capitalistic? In a capitalistic society resources are privately-owned and wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few who own the means of production.

divineinsight:BY HUMPHREY MTANDWA

Socialism is a set of beliefs that states that all people are equal and should therefore share equally their country’s wealth and resources. Is God socialistic or capitalistic? In a capitalistic society resources are privately-owned and wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few who own the means of production.

Apostle Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

God made an investment in Paul by giving him grace. Paul acknowledged that although he was given this grace, he was more efficient and effective than the other saints. We see this by looking also at the hours he put in his work and the dedication he showed. God chose Paul and made an investment of grace that was more than he made in the others because God saw that Paul would effectively use that grace. Paul proved to be a great investment because of the impact he had in his time and even in our time.

Jesus also shared the Parable of Talents, in which the king gave five talents to one individual and two to another. He did not give these individuals equal talents, but invested in them differently because of the potential he saw in them. It’s surprising how the one he gave one talent was not even faithful enough to multiply what he had been given. If the king had given these individuals equal talents, he would have not gained more from his investment.

The king later took the one talent from the unfaithful steward who failed to multiply it and he gave it to the one who had more. God does not impart grace and talents equally to his children, but imparts more to those that prove to be faithful. This statement seems unfair but when God invested in Paul, he knew he would be faithful enough to steward what he was given and through that single investment others would benefit.

By acknowledging all men are not equal, it’s easier to follow those in whom God has made the most investment and feed from the fruits of their lives. When resources are individually owned, it allows those that own the resources to create systems that benefit everyone around them.

God is capitalistic because he understands a single deposit of grace in a person who is hard-working and dedicated as Paul can yield great returns for the kingdom. What was Paul’s secret that made God invest in him so much? Before his conversion, Paul was zealous and dedicated to his assignment of persecuting the church.

He proved to be a valuable asset so God used that strength and he proved to be a worthy investment. Paul in the letter to the Corinthians boasted of how he worked harder than all the other apostles. Paul was so dedicated and because of this dedication he impacted more regions as a single person than all the other apostles put together. In his letter to Timothy, he said if you purge yourself from weights that hinder you, it will make you a vessel unto honour.

What will you do to your life personally to attract God to make a deposit of grace? It’s time to purge yourself of anything that stops you from being productive and allow God to make a deposit of grace in your life. God bless you.

l Humphrey Mtandwa is an anointed minister of the gospel and teacher of the Word based in South Africa. He has written several books including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness and Theophany. He blogs at mtandwa.blogspot.com and can be contacted via e-mail or WhatsApp on +27 610286350.